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Saints softball team remains optimistic despite season delays
The Advocate
The Saints softball team is hoping practice makes perfect after weather postponed Wednesday's doubleheader against the Chemeketa Storm (1-8).
The Saints, who haven't seen much time on the field this season due to weather, were in high spirits inside the Mt. Hood gymnasium during practice Wednesday night.
"Motivated is a good word," said sophomore infielder Amanda Bunch, who spent the beginning of practice in the batting net tossing balls and encouraging teammates. "We are putting a lot of time in the gym, and taking advantage of what we have once we get the weather going."
The weather, which has postponed the team's last five games, isn't the only hurdle the team is working to overcome. The team started the season with 17 players on the roster but are now down to 11 due to academic difficulties and injuries. The most recent loss is a wrist injury suffered by sophomore outfielder Kate Brokaw.
"In a way, with how the season has gone from 17 to 11, made us do a bit of a shuffle in players' positions, putting players in positions they wouldn't normally play," said head coach Meadow McWhorter, who encouraged her team and pitched to players during Wednesday night's practice, "Softball is not an indoor sport, but we've had some really quality practices this week."
"I love the Vince Lombardi quote: 'The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.' This is our whole mindset," McWhorter added. The Saints who have yet to play a regular season game, went 2-4 during the preseason.
McWhorter said she is looking forward to the season despite the challenges.
"I think it's increasing anticipation. We are more and more excited to play," said McWhorter who isn't worried about having a smaller roster than usual, "It all depends on mentality. There's a "me" mentality that takes the pressure off, to know you're all you've got out there."
The Saints are scheduled to play the Lower Colombia Red Devils (4-2) Saturday in Longview, Wash., at 5 p.m. Looking down the line the Saints should see the return of Brokaw, as well as a high number of games to make up, but they aren't letting any outside distractions affect them.
"We do have pressure on our backs," said Bunch who was a part of the NWAACC championship team last season, "But we just need to do our thing, try to get better, and take it each day at a time. We know what to do."
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